Four tries to Ezra Gibson helped the Gunnedah Bulldogs to a 54-4 drubbing of the Kootingal-Moonbi Roosters last Sunday in round one of the Group 4 rugby league season.

A new signing for the Bulldogs after previously playing for the Port City Breakers in Group 3, Gibson shone at halfback as Gunnedah registered 10 unanswered tries before conceding the final four-pointer of the game.

At home, the Roosters must have been shocked at the scale of their defeat after placing fourth last season while the Bulldogs were sixth.

The Bulldogs fumbled from the opening kick-off and made further mistakes in the first few minutes, but their defence held firm before they established a 20-0 lead at half-time in rainy weather.

Gunnedah maintained the momentum in the second half, even if the team’s overall performance was far from polished.

Gibson, front-rowers Lincon Smith and KC Edmonds, hooker Callum Hayne, second-rower Wil Patterson and lock forward Jim Muller were among the leading performers.

Bulldogs coach Sean Hayne said his team was scrappy and still had a “lot to work on”.

“We didn’t start the game how we wanted, (we) handed the ball over off the kick-off so there’s a lot of improvement to make,” he said.

“The most pleasing thing was our defence. (We) made a few errors but we defended those errors.”

Due to the wet conditions, Gunnedah’s coach said the Bulldogs played through the middle and shortened up their passing game a bit.

“Everyone who was out there did their role today and they all played well, (which) was pleasing to see,” he said.

“All the forwards did their job, the backs did what was required of them.

“Overall it was just a good team effort.”

Having made a handling error in the opening seconds, the Bulldogs soon conceded a penalty before sloppy handling from the Roosters was followed by a forward pass from Gunnedah.

Bulldogs centre Max Turner produced a bone-crunching tackle, before a penalty went Gunnedah’s way.

A try beckoned as five-eighth Sam Taylor kicked to the left, but the skidding ball eluded winger McKye Davis-Tucknott.

Davis-Tucknott posted the first try in the next few minutes, before Muller scored Gunnedah’s second try following a chip-kick from Gibson.

Kootingal-Moonbi received three quick penalties, before Gunnedah forced a repeat set and then conceded a couple more penalties.

The Roosters threatened to score but Marshall Field was held up over the line, and soon the Bulldogs capitalised on a penalty as Callum Hayne scored a clever try from acting-half.

Gibson scored his first try with half-time looming, as he kicked a couple of times and followed through to touch down.

Gibson also scored first in the second half, as he took on the defence and cut through.

Interchange players Trent Hilton and Nick White scored a try each, before Davis-Tucknott bagged his second for the game.

Gibson’s third try set up a 48-0 lead with 15 minutes left, before another converted try to Gibson made it 54-0 in the 70th minute.

Kootingal-Moonbi winger Gabriel Tuilovoni scored a consolation try from a kick, before the dying stages were marred by needless scuffling.

The Bulldogs also had a winning start to the reserve grade season, as they scored four tries to one in a 22-6 triumph while Gunnedah’s U18s had a bye.

The Bulldogs play their first home game of the season this Sunday as they contest the Moree Boars at Kitchener Park, after Moree lost 26-24 to Werris Creek last Saturday.

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